Un-cancelled Dinner Plans: Lord Edgware Dies 2.0

(image from here)

"'I've heard you're just the most marvellous man that ever existed. Somebody's got to get me out of the tangle I'm in and I feel you're just the man to do it.'

We got out at the second floor and she led the way along the corridor, paused at a door and entered one of the most opulent of the Savoy suites.

Casting her white fur wrap on one chair, and her small jewelled bag on the table, the actress sank on to a chair and exclaimed:

'M. Poirot, somehow or other I've just got to get rid of my husband!'"

-Lord Edgware Dies, p. 14

The Sum of It:

This story has, for some reason, always been another one of my favorites, so I was very excited to give it a re-read during this 2018 Year of Agatha! This is my third Poirot read in a row, and I am not mad about it. Poirot is living his best life (like he does) in London, hanging out with Hastings and going to fancy dinners and parties and theater-whatnots. Lord Edgware Dies opens with just such an event - an evening of comedy with an American actress and impressionist named Carlotta Adams. At the performance, Poirot and Hastings meet another American actress named Jane Wilkinson, and, in true Agatha fashion, Jane enlists Poirot's assistance with a little trouble in her personal life. She needs help getting rid of her husband #gasp! Apparently her richie-rich lord husband (Lord Edgware of the book title Lord Edgware #doomed) is kind of a meanie and won't give her a divorce even though she needs one very badly so she can marry another lord who is, also apparently, nicer and richer than her current husband. Poirot is quite taken in with the whole American husky voice hottie thing Jane has going on, and, never able to say no to a lady in distress, says he he will do everything he can to assist her. "Great!" Jane says. "Can you run over to my house and convince him to give me a divorce? K BYE!" 

So Poirot and Hastings trudge over to have a chat with Lord Edgware. Lord E. says hi this is kinda weird, but um, yeah I definitely already told Jane via letter that I was down with the divorce so....#hmmm? Poirot and Hastings are like okay yes also weird, but our work here is done and go to tell Jane Wilkinson the good news. Jane is so thrilled to hear all her second wedding plans can move forward, she decides to go out to a fancy dinner party that evening that she hadn't planned on attending AFTER ALL!

HOWEVER, it can't be that easy, can it? Whilst Jane is dining the night away, someone who looks just like her has stabbed Lord Edgeware to death (#spoilers #notreallythough)!!! Stranger still, the next day Carlotta Adams (seen by the entire cast of characters performing her dead-on impression of Jane Wilkinson earlier in the book) is ALSO found dead! Loads of people wanted Lord Edgeware dead, but who could also want the blame cast on poor Jane? As always, only Poirot can sniff out the mastermind behind this tangled tale.

The YOA Treatment:

It's been fun to go back to read our thoughts and feelings on each of these books from our first year of Agatha and see how they compare to our re-readings. What is particularly funny about this book is in 2016 Emily noted she listened to Lord Edgware Dies on Audible and thoroughly enjoyed it, and I happened to do the exact same thing for my read this year! Hugh Fraser is a #nationaltreasure and does a perfect job of reading this book. If you're looking to dabble in Agatha Christie on Audible, I highly suggest finding anything he reads!

One fun tidbit I learned about this book involves the dedication. I always love investigating those Agatha dedicated books to, because they usually have interesting stories. This one is no exception! Lord Edgware Dies is dedicated to Dr. and Mrs. Campbell Thompson. Dr. Thompson was an archeologist who enlisted Max Mallowan (Agatha's second husband) to come help on his dig in Ninevah. Apparently the Mallowan-Christies and Thompsons were pretty good pals, but Dr. Thompson was not a fan of spending money and was a bit perturbed that Agatha wanted to spend money at the dig on a good writing table so she could work on her latest book. Thompson must have somehow gotten over it, because write Agatha did, and thanked him and his wife for their friendship and hospitality by dedicating this book to them. 

When the finished product finally came out in 1932, it was well received, and I completely understand why. It has some great characters, a puzzling plot, and a truly smashing conclusion. If you're looking for a classic Poirot to read (or re-read!) this summer, I heartily recommend it!

-A.